SAN DIEGO -- Dr. Louis May Villanueva spoke to 10News after his patient, San Diego resident Lourdes Trinidad died on his operating table on Saturday during what was supposed to be a simple liposuction procedure.

“I walked out of the procedure [and] went to give a consultation,” said May. “They called me about ten minutes later saying she had a heart attack.”

Dr. May said he and others tried to bring Trinidad back, but he said it was impossible.

He also said Trinidad’s death was unrelated to the liposuction procedure.

“I was not at fault or my anesthesiologist or my clinic,” said May.

Family members accused Doctor May of slipping out the back door of his Tijuana clinic when they showed up to retrieve Trinidad’s body.

They say all they wanted was an explanation.

“Everyone had different versions: said he was on vacation, said he was with other patients,” said a family member.

Another family member agrees.

“It bothers me that this coward has not contacted our family and said he was the one responsible for that procedure and explain to us what happened,” said another family member.

Dr. May said he left the clinic because Trinidad’s family members became violent and began to threaten him.

“I called my lawyer and he said get out of there before they get any more violent, so I left,” said May. “I’m very sorry what happened. It’s not that I don’t want to put my face in there, it’s just simply when they stop threatening me I will go ahead and talk to them, whenever they want.”

Dr. May’s credentials are still in question, though he said he has them.

“I am an active member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Liposuction Surgery and Phlebology,” said May.

However, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery said Dr. May was not a member.

10News contacted the Ministry of Health in Tijuana to see if Dr. May is fully licensed and has yet to receive a response.

Related: Doctor's Credentials Questioned After Woman's Liposuction Death